playing up

verb

present participle of play up
as in highlighting
to indicate the importance of by centering attention on that TV news program plays up sensational stories just to get higher ratings

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of playing up Recognizable shapes and clean silhouettes were fashioned in calfskin, napa and suede — with python and lizard prints, mirror leather, crepe satin and mesh playing up contrasting textures. — Katie Abel, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026 Meanwhile, third wife Iya Femi (Bimbo Ademoye) is the most cunning and ruthless in trying to defend her position within the household, playing up to Iya Segi’s schemes as her most willing conspirator. — Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026 Thus the 2026-27 season is not about the Rangers playing up to their ceiling. — Peter Baugh, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026 Vance has been playing up to MAGA lately, going hard on immigration and confronting reporters similar to his boss. — Joe Battenfeld, Mercury News, 27 Aug. 2026 State Farm is playing up its personalized plans with a couple of spots that feature Mahomes, and Chiefs coach Andy Reid makes an appearance in one of the ads. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 2026 Boobie had also been playing up one — or two even — age levels. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026 Khusnutdinov, on whom the B’s are high, morphed into Sturm’s Swiss Army knife last season, playing up and down and all over the lineup. — Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 21 Aug. 2026 Forty-three football-playing schools are playing up in class this season. — Todd Holcomb, AJC.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for playing up
  1. highlighting
  2. emphasizing
  3. stressing
  4. featuring
Verb
  • The Sun in your 6th House opposes Saturn in your private 12th, highlighting the tension between productivity and the need for real rest.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Being about music, arts and highlighting people, that’s a blessing.
    — Kailyn Brown, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of highlighting
Verb
  • Geoff warns Ilya to moderate his projections, emphasizing the need for safeguards, but the idealistic Russian is swept up in the vast potential of AI — to solve the climate crisis, cure cancer, even save humanity from itself.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Meanwhile, a strappy sandal style was elevated by the sculptural wedge heel, emphasizing the comeback of the historic footwear style which has most recently gained steam as part of the ’90s and aughts fashion nostalgia wave.
    — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of emphasizing
Verb
  • The dynamic is stressing household budgets at a time when they’re already strained by broader affordability issues, a key issue in the upcoming midterm elections.
    — Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026
  • At China’s signature AI conference in July, Xi called for greater openness and collaboration in AI, while stressing the need for regulation to keep it under human control.
    — John Liu, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of stressing
Verb
  • Airy styles were trending during the latest edition of Paris Fashion Week, featuring the likes of Zendaya and Jennifer Lawrence, among others, opting for delicate fabrics, designs and soft colorways.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • On view are copies of a mass-market 1977 book featuring the Renaissance master’s anatomical drawings; Basquiat owned a copy, a fount of inspiration for him.
    — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of featuring

Browse Nearby Words

playing out
playing up
playing (upon)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Playing up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/playing%20up. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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